India

March 3

I looked down at my barefoot covered in flies as I took a deep breath. “And out” I instructed with a sigh. True I know nothing about yoga, but this relaxing meditation really seemed to help us all enjoy the day and with the sun burning and flies swarming we needed any for of relaxation we could get. I don’t really know how India works without transitions, but it does, even the seasons. Yesterday it was winter, but today the hot sun greeted me first thing in the morning and didn’t leave me alone till seven.

As I drove home from work in my non-air conditioned vehicle, the sun hit my skin hard, the horns pierced my ears, and the bright light and stand still traffic spun my mind. I knew this new India was going to be something I had to get use to. I thought about three of my students living in their small shed with their parents and four other siblings during this heat. I couldn’t believe it was only going to get worse. Each night I lay awake in my hot room, fighting to sleep, sweat dampening my sheets. The damage this heat must have on these children.

They tell me that the weather just gets hotter and hotter until it is absolutely unbearable by June. By this time, the schools have closed and many have died from the extreme heat. I thought about all the children, whose job was to clean engines, play drums for money, or beg, all done outside, all day, in this deathly fire. As I thought I prayed for rain.

It came last night with a loud crash. I ran to the porch to bring in my wet clothes. I was just in time; right when I shut the door I heard the heavy raindrops slamming against the dirty road outside. I sat for the next hour intently listening to the drops falling from the sky above. I would take any form of relaxation I could get. This wasn’t the only prayer that was answered yesterday.

I first found out that the Internet was finally up after almost five days of no service. This of course explains my lack of post, but as I opened my email more good news emerged. The first email that stood out was one telling me that the landlord of the potential new school had put the asking price back to where it was, so the children will have their school and the fundraising can continue. This is obviously the best news I could have received and instantly my week was looking up. Amazingly though, I would continue to be showered with blessings through emails and conversations to come. Along with this stuff I found another volunteer opportunity that looks very promising for the future. A school in a remote part of the Himalayas near Leh, which is in Kashmir & Jammu, is looking for teachers to help with English. I expressed interest and was invited out to see the school. I jumped at this opportunity and found an old propeller plane that left in the morning of Saturday and would return that Sunday. I even found a farm I could stay at. The family told me they didn’t have electricity, but they would give me enough candles to light my room. I knew this was a must and began finalizing my day trip.

Everything was going so perfectly for me and I was getting use to this way of things. Of course it couldn’t go on for long though. Unfortunately, my luck stopped as I was paying for my plane ticket. The price I was told it would be was only about a third of what it ended up being. There was no way I could acquire the 14,000 rupees asked (about $300) and so I sadly had to back out of my trip. In my past life, I would be really upset about this sudden price change, but being in India for so long has gotten me use to such things.

The worst part about this whole failed trip is just the fact that this will be yet another weekend without travel. I came to India to work with these people so I am 100% satisfied, but I wish I could have done a bit more traveling. Sickness, work, threats of terror, dangerous holidays, and lack of funds has kept me in Delhi for most of my stay. Now that the Internet is up though, tonight I will hopefully be purchasing my train ticket for next weekend, when Heather and I adventure to the popular Jaipur.

I’m really sorry I’ve been slacking on the blogs. It is partially because the Internet has been down and partially because I want to write what you guys would like to hear. I feel that some of my daily life activities wouldn’t fall into this category. But in the entries to come I will talk about the difference between Government and private school. I would also like to introduce you to some very special kids in the next entry. So be following and please tell me how you’re all doing!

Two girls in pappanKalan being shy.

Some students on break at munirka

Enjoying recess at Munirka